Huskers Roll over Washington

Lincoln -- In an early-season clash between top 10 teams, the Huskers celebrated the return of I-back DeAngelo Evans and quarterback Bobby Newcombe with a 55-7 rout over Nos. 9/8 Washington.

Evans, who had not played since the 1996 Big 12 Championship Game, rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries. The sophomore from Wichita, Kan., scored on runs of 60, 14 and 19 yards, all in the first half, as the Huskers scored the first 21 points and led 35-7 at halftime.

Newcombe, seeing his first action since the opener, drove Nebraska to a score on its opening drive, a 12-play, 82-yard march, culminating in Newcombe?s three-yard run to give the Huskers a 7-0 lead just 4:23 into the contest. After forcing a punt on Washington?s next possession, Evans broke free on a 60-yard score to give NU a 14-0 lead.

The Husker defense capitalized on the first of six Husky turnovers as Jason Wiltz intercepted a Brock Haurd pass and returned it to the Washington 22-yard line. Two plays later, Evans scored from 14 yards as the Huskers extended their lead to 21-0. Washington was driving deep into NU territory before linebacker Jay Foreman forced a fumble at the Husky 3-yard line. Seven plays later, Evans gave Nebraska a 28-0 lead with a 19-yard run four minutes into the second quarter.

On the day, the Blackshirts turned the six Washington turnovers into 34 Nebraska points. Rush End Chad Kelsay led the defensive charge, recording three tackles, a sack and an interception to earn Big 12 Defensive Player-of-the-Week honors.

Newcombe, who finished with 79 yards and three TDs, and completed five-of-eight passes for 84 yards, scored on a pair of two-yard touchdown runs before sophomore fullback Willie Miller closed out the scoring with a 1-yard run in the final seconds of the third quarter. The 48-point margin of victory was the largest in school history over an AP Top 10 team